Alain Rolland will referee his first match on Welsh soil next month his controversial decision to send off skipper Sam Warburton in Wales' World Cup semi-final defeat to France.

Rolland is sure of a heated reception when he referees the Scarlets' Heineken Cup clash with Northampton Saints at Parc y Scarlets on January 14. The Irishman famously sent off the Welsh skipper for a dangerous tackle on France winger Vincent Clerc during France's 9-8 victory.

Rolland was overlooked for all of Wales' 2012 Six Nations games following the criticism he received from Welsh fans for that decision during the World Cup in New Zealand.